New charges have been pressed against Mr. Ruslan Bashirli, chairman of the Youth Movement “Yeni Fikir”, who is currently in preliminary detention, reports the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). -We are gravely concerned by the general climate of harassment against members of the youth organisation Yeni Fikir reads the statement of OMCT. (31-JAN-06)

According to the information received by Human Rights Centre of Azerbaijan, Mr. Bashirli has been recently accused of “illegal entrepreneurship” (Art.192 of the Penal Code). According to the article, the running of a business (entrepreneurship) without registration of license is punished by fine, limitation of liberty up to 3 years, or imprisonment up to 5 years. However this should not apply to a non-profit organisation.

Detention in Bayil Prison
Mr. Bashirli and another leading member of Yeni Fikir, Mr. Ramin Tagiyev, are currently provisionally detained in Bayil Prison (Investigation Isolator #1 of the Ministry of Justice), Baku city, as a preliminary investigation on charges of conspiracy aiming at overthrowing the regime is being conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. Bashirli’s lawyer reported that he is being kept in a very cold cell in isolation. OMCT is gravely concerned by the general climate of harassment against members of the youth organisation Yeni Fikir and for the physical and psychological integrity of those detained and being interrogated.

Charges of plot
The International Secretariat of OMCT had been informed by the Human Rights Centre of Azerbaijan, that several members of the youth organization, Yeni Fikir, had been detained and subjected to ill-treatment.

According to the information, Mr. Ruslan Bashirli, head of the youth organisation Yeni Fikir (“New Idea”), was arrested on August 3, 2005, on charges of plotting to overthrow the Azerbaijani leadership at the instigation of Armenian intelligence agents, with whom he allegedly met in Tbilisi on July 28 and 29, 2005. A criminal case under clause 278th of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan (actions directed to seizing or keeping the power by force) was brought against him by the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan. If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment.

Harassment of Bashirli’s family
Furthermore, Mr. Ruslan Bashirli’s family has been subjected to harassment. Mr. Ruslan Bashirli’s father, Mr. Djalil Bashirli, was forced to leave his position as a schoolteacher. Moreover, his house, located in Zardob, was attacked by a mob who threw stones at his house. Mr. Ruslan Bashirli’s uncle, Mr. Fuzuli Qasimov, senior tax inspector in the region of Goychay, was dismissed on August 8, 2005.

Refusing false testimony
The International Secretariat of OMCT was also informed that Mr. Sarvan Sarhanov, a member of the youth organisation Yeni Fikir (“New Idea”), was called in for questioning on August 11, 2005. According to the information received, Mr. Sarvan Sarhanov was interrogated by three investigators – Mr. Ali Quliyev, Mr. Azer Amirov and Mr. Rahimov –, at the Department for Serious Criminal Cases of the Prosecutor office. He was beaten on the face and the back by investigating officers after refusing to give false testimony charging Mr. Ali Kerimli, chairman of the opposition party PNFA, and Mr. Qanimat Zahidov, of Azadliq newspaper. A fourth investigator reportedly threatened him to squash his fingers by means of pliers and to tear out one of his ears. Mr. Sarvan Sarhanov was eventually released without any charge on August 11, 2005. The Prosecutor Office confirmed Mr. Sarvan Sarhanov had been interviewed by investigators at the Prosecutor Office. However, it denied that Mr. Sarvan Sarhanov was subjected to any threats or ill-treatment.

Arrests and detentions
Moreover, Mr. Vuqar Mehdiyev, a member of Yeni Fikir, was arrested on 1st September 2005, and beaten by officers of the 9th police station of Sabayil District Police Department. He was subsequently released.On 12 September 2005, police arrested Mr. Said Nuri, deputy of Mr. Ruslan Bashirli. He was temporarily detained in isolation at Narimanov District Police Administration, where he was reportedly accused of “preparation of a coup d’etat and getting financial support from interested forces”. The “evidence” was his participation in a seminar in Poland organized by the Institute of European Democracy. On the day after his arrest, Mr. Nuri was hospitalized because of bad health (talassemia, and problems with his internal organs) and put in the City Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Baku. The prosecutor, Ali Quliyev refused to comment on the situation and staff working at the hospital refused to give any information on him and as to whether he was there or not.

Still under investigation
On 14th September, it was reported that Mr. Nuri had received necessary treatment and was released. However, the next day he was rearrested on his way to work, although the Prosecutor’s Office stated that he was “invited” by the investigator. On 14th November 2005, Mr. Said Nuri was released from hospital where he had been since September 15th 2005, and placed under house arrest. The charges against him have not been dropped.


On 16 September 2005, the Nasimi district court of Baku city approved the preliminary arrest of the vice-chairman of Yeni Fikir, Mr. Ramin Tagiyev. He was detained on suspicion of preparing the forced seizure of power under the same case as Mr. Ruslan Bashirli’s.